Festivals of Sree Bhagavathikkunnu Temple

Navarathri celebration

It is celebrated in the Malayalam month of Kanni (the period when the sun stands on the sign of Virgo). The nine day festival includes “Devi Bhagavatha
Sapthaham”, special pooja performances, Deeparadhana in the evening, Bhajans, Discourses, and varied cultural programmes.

Navarathri is a festival dedicated to the worship of Devi Durgga. The word Nava Rathri means nine nights in Sanskrit. During the nine days of Nava
Rathri nine forms of Devi are worshipped. The tenth day is celeberated as Vijaya Deshami or Dessehra-the nine forms of Shakthi are Durgga,
Kali, Amba, Annapoorna Devi, Sarvamangala, Bhairavi, Chandika, Lalitha, Bhavani and Mookambika.

Bhadrakali or ‘Good Kali’ is a Hindu Goddess popular in Southern India, in Devi Mahatmyam Bhadrakali is depicted as one of the fierce forms of
the great Goddess (Devi). In Kerala Temples Bhadrakali is worshiped as Sri Bhadrakali and ‘Karimkali Moorthy Devi’. She is mostly represented
three eyes, and four, twelve or eighteen hands. She carries a number of weapons (kapalam, sword and panapathram). She is also seen with flames
flowing from her head small tusk protruding from her mouth. Kodungalloor Bhadra Kali temple is one of the most famous temple in Kerala dedicated
Bhadrakali. It is believed that the versatile Sanskrit poet Kalidasa became what he was thanks to the Devini will of Bhadrakali. It is also
believed that Vikramaditya and his brother Bhatti were ordent devotes of Bhadrakali whose blessing resulted in all the successes showered upon
them. Many martial arts like Kalaripayat (a traditional martial arts forms and kalari are associated with Bhadra Kali).

The beginning of spring and the beginning of autumn are considered as the sacred opportunities for the worship of the divine mother Durga. In Hindu
mythology Navarathri represents the celebration of the Goddess Amba (Power). In South India Navarathri, the nine- night festival honors Durga,
Goddess Lakshmi and Saraswathi. In Kerala and Tamil Nadu it is known as Navarathri and Bommla Koluvu in Andhra Pradesh. The date of Navarathri
is from 25th September to 3rd October. Navarathri observed is Dasshera in Karnataka, where it is celebrated for ten days. The main event during
Navarathri in South India is the display of dolls and idols-KOLU and the placing of kalash which represents Goddess. During Navarathri, we
invoke the energy aspect of God in the form of Universal Mother, commonly referred to as Durga. She is also referred to as Devi or Shakthi
(Power). The nine manifestations of Goddess Durga are Rudra, Chanda, Prachandha, Chandogra, Chandanayika, Chandapati, Chandaroopa, Durga and
Saraswathi. It is with the help of this energy that God proceeds with the work of creation, preservation and destruction. Our worship of Shakthi
reconfirms the energy is imperishable. It cannot be created or destroyed. The last three days of Navarathri, i.e., Durgashtami, Maha Navami
and Vijaya Deshami are celebrated as Saraswathi Pooja and they are considered more sacred than other days for Devi worship.

In Kerala, Saraswathi Puja and Ayudha Puja are performed. On the Durgashtami day a ceremony called "Poojavaipu" is performed in the evening. On
the Vijaya Deshami day after Pooja in the morning, the books and implements are taken out from the pooja room and this ceremony is called "Poojayeduppu".
Vijaya Deshami day marks the beginning of learning and work. At this auspicious moment, the tots are for the first time, given instructions
to write the first few alphabets on rice or sand. Thus they are ushered into the world of knowledge. This is called 'ezhuthiniruthu' or 'vidyarambham'.

Saraswathy Temple, also known as Dakshina Mookambika, in the Panachikkadu village of Kottayam district, Kerala, is significantly noted. Even though,
many Saraswathy Temple perform pooja only during the Navarathri period. This Temple offers pooja throughout giving "darshan" to the devotees.
The Mookambika Devi temple at Kolloor, Uduppi district in State of Karnataka, India, is a Hindu temple dedicated to Mookambika Devi. Here,
Parvathy is worshiped as Parvati Devi. The establishment of the temple is attributed to Parameswara (Lord Siva) who has brown a chakra with
his toe. On Durgashtamiday special poojas like suvani or suhasini pooja are performed at the Lord Aiyyappa Temple at Sabarimala. Devotees from
far and near visit the Aiyyappa Temple on the auspicious day.

Mandala Pooja

It is celebrated on the 41 day in the Malayalam month of Vrischikam after Deeparadhana and Athazhapooja in the evening. Devi of Bhagavathikkunnu
is taken in palanquin (pallakku) as a procession to Malanada. Special poojas are performed there and the idol is brought back to the Temple.

Devotees observe traditional austerities (vratham) which normally start from the 1st day of Vrischikam (17th November). Devotees initiate the vratham
wearing a Tulsi or Rudraksha mala. This is also known as Sabarimala season, when pilgrims all over the world visit the holly shrine of Sabarimala.
November 17 or Vrischikam 1 is the beginning of Mandalamasa or when the sun enters 1st Degree of Scorpio, Vrischika. It is also known as Vrischikamasa
aarambha and is considered holly for 41 days. Mandala is a spiritual symbol in Hinduism and Buddhism. The basic form of most mandala is a square
with four gates containing a circle with a center point. It represents the universe. The term mandala appears in the “Rig-Veda”. This symbol
is used as a spiritual guidance to, and as an aid to meditation and transe induction.

The mandalapooja, which is considered to be the completion of the 41 day mandala vratham, will be observed on December 27. The Ayyappa idol will
be adorned with Thanka Anki (sacred golden attire) preceding the uchapooja at Sabarimala. Marking the culmination of this 41 day Sabarimala
Pilgrimage.

Thiruvulsavam

This ten day festival is celebrated in the Malayalam month of Kumbham (February-March) in Makayiram (the fifth lunar asterism) with flag hoisting.
From the very first day of the festival, the devotees can offer Para and Anpoli (punch of a freshly collected paddy grain). The temple authorities
will make all the arrangements to the devotees for this.

Elanthoor Padayani, the favourite offering of Devi, is performed till the eighth day of the festival and a ‘Valiya Padayani’ on the eighth.

The temple opens everyday

Kshethra Aaradhana(importance of temple worship)

Devotees visit temples and worship idols in order to seek blessings, health and wealth from the deity and also to ward of all kinds accidents, calamities
and evil eyes. Devotees should enter the temple only after purifying his body and mind.

About Elanthoor

Elanthoor is the birthplace of the famous actor Mohanlal
The village is located between Pathanamthitta and Kozhencherry. The T. K. Road (Thiruvalla-Pathanamthitta-Kumbazha Road / SH - 07) connects the town to other major towns. Elanthoor is easily accessible to the Main Eastern Highway through Pathanamthitta. Elanthoor Gandhi is a very famous personality.